The Influence of High Energy Radiation on Cotton

Abstract

Sliver lap, yarn, and fabric made of the same raw cotton of known composition were irradiated with cathode rays under various conditions. Changes in the chemical and physical properties were investigated. Some yarns also were irradiated with gamma rays. The changes that occurred in these samples were found to be the same as those in samples irradiated with cathode rays. Data for the copper number, the methylene blue number, and the intrinsic viscosity indicated that degradation of the cathode ray irradiated yarn had taken place. A new absorption maximum was found in infrared spectrograms of the cotton irradiated at high dose levels. Direct-dye affinity of the irradiated fabric was similar to oxycellulose. The tensile strength of the yarn decreased with the amount of dose it received. However, at low levels the tensile strength was found to increase to a maximum before it started to decrease; a "natural curve" of tensile strength and a "natural curve" of toughness were defined. Microbiological tests showed that both yarn and fabric were sterilized by a dome of one megarep. A general increase in mildew resistance was noted in irradiated samples compared with unirradiated samples. '